Ravens' plans unfazed by Browns' issues at QB

The Ravens aren't worried about who will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Jake Delhomme, who was sidelined with an ankle injury last Sunday, is more of a pocket passer. Seneca Wallace, the Browns' backup, is more of a scrambler.

But the Ravens don't see much of a difference.

"We're preparing for the exact same offense," linebacker Jarret Johnson said. "Their offense is not going to change from Seneca to Delhomme."

Delhomme started the season-opening 17-14 loss at the Tamp Bay Buccaneers where he completed 20 of 37 passes for 227 yards and two interceptions. Wallace started in place of Delhomme against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, when he was 20 of 27 throws for 229 yards and one interception.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said it remains day to day with Delhomme, who didn't practice Wednesday.

"We'll have to be prepared for both guys," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "It won't affect our calls."

Mason, L. McClain miss practice

Wide receiver Derrick Mason (knee) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (shoulder) were surprise absences at Wednesday's practice. The severity of their injuries is unknown.

Offensive tackle Jared Gaither (back) didn't practice again but he wasn't ruled out for the game. For the first two weeks of the regular season, Gaither had been declared out on Wednesday.

Gaither conceded that he is surprised and frustrated that his recovery from a back injury has taken this long. Gaither emphasized that two specialists did not recommend surgery for the injury and he remained optimistic that he would return this season.

He was vociferous in his stance that his inability to return had nothing to do with a plan to hold out until he could return to his usual left tackle spot, which is currently manned by Michael Oher.

"I would hope you would know better than that," Gaither said in response to whether he is making a power play of sorts. "This is a very serious situation. My back is obviously the main part of your body that you have to take care of. That would obviously be a foolish statement if you think that."

Gooden out

Ravens backup linebacker Tavares Gooden will be out "at least a couple of weeks" with a dislocated left shoulder, Harbaugh said.

Gooden injured his shoulder on a punt return in the second quarter of Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He had his left arm in a sling on Wednesday.

"Tavares is going to be out for a few weeks," Harbaugh said "He just had a dislocated shoulder and that's going to be some healing that has to go on there."

Rice was on the practice field Wednesday, just three days after tweaking his ankle late in the loss at Cincinnati.

The Ravens running back missed eight plays during the loss but returned to the game.

"My ankle's great," he said. "I got a little shook up. I thought it was something more than what it was. But I'm out here today, full-go and I'll be ready to play."

Hamlin cut for Williams

The Ravens released safety Ken Hamlin to make room for cornerback Cary Williams, who was reinstated after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Harbaugh said he didn't know if Williams would be part of Sunday's game plan.

"It's a possibility," he said. "We'll have to see in practice how he looks and really how that 45-man roster shakes out."

Hamlin, a Pro Bowl safety in 2007, made one special teams tackle for the Ravens this season.

Cody planning debut

Barring a setback, Terrence Cody said he plans to suit up this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. He also wasn't on the injury report Wednesday.

"I feel like I'm doing better," the rookie nose tackle said. "Not 100 percent yet, but I feel like that it's a lot better than it was. Hopefully, this week, by the way of practice, I can play."

Cody, one of the Ravens' two second-round picks in April, has been deactivated for the team's first two games after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on Aug. 31 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Although he practiced last week and thought he could play last Sunday, Cody said he understand the team's caution in allowing him to return.